“The Lyric seats only 750…so it is going to be a much more intimate experience, especially with its close up seating. We also have high hopes for the acoustics as the entire hall is shaped like the “bell” of a trumpet. Bottom line, the Lyric is first and foremost a performing arts facility, a place where movie showings will be the exception, not the rule.”
“What I am learning is that the history of Birmingham is still present and that history is extraordinary. It didn’t just start in the 50s and 60s; it goes back further.”
“I moved back to Birmingham and took the job at the Museum to be part of revitalizing Birmingham in whatever small way I could. Seeing it come to fruition is pretty fantastic. My hope is that more development and revitalization opens up more opportunities for creative people in Birmingham, while also drawing new people in, and that those people can help contribute new and interesting solutions to some of Birmingham’s lingering issues.”
“There is such disconnect between contemporary visual art and the typical American family. I was in college before I even knew that being an artist could mean something beyond being a graphic designer or a television animator. I think the only way to bridge that gap is to make contemporary art (which can be quite challenging) more available and accessible to a younger audience.”
Name: Wassan Al-Khudhairi
Occupation: Curator Of Modern & Contemporary Art at BMA
Creative Industry: Culture & Heritage
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